unintelligible

1 of 2

adjective

un·​in·​tel·​li·​gi·​ble ˌən-in-ˈte-lə-jə-bəl How to pronounce unintelligible (audio)
Synonyms of unintelligible
: unable to be understood or comprehended : not intelligible
a song with unintelligible lyrics
unintelligible jargon
… including parenthetical translations of the words and phrases he knew would be unintelligible to contemporary readers.—John N. Green
unintelligibility
ˌən-in-ˌte-lə-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce unintelligible (audio)
noun
or less commonly unintelligibleness
unintelligibly
ˌən-in-ˈte-lə-jə-blē How to pronounce unintelligible (audio)
adverb
muttering unintelligibly

unintelligibility

2 of 2

noun

un·​intelligibility "+ How to pronounce unintelligibility (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being unintelligible
2
: something that is unintelligible
depending too much on jargon and other unintelligibilities for effect

Synonyms of unintelligible

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Adjective

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Examples of unintelligible in a Sentence

Adjective uttered only a string of unintelligible murmurs
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The man responded, but his words are unintelligible in the recording. — Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026 The adversaries made for a striking scene, exchanging insults in mutually unintelligible languages in the dead of night. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 Death penalty states generally allow last statements from the execution chamber, but Texas catalogs the prisoners’ last words online, except for vulgar and racist language or what sounds unintelligible. — Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 20 May 2026 Brig is in the Upper Valais, a gaunt and conservative place where the inhabitants speak Walliser German, an Alpine dialect that many Swiss people find unintelligible. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unintelligible

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1664, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unintelligible was in 1664

Rhymes for unintelligible

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Browse Nearby Words

unintelligibility
unintelligible
unintended
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unintelligible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unintelligible. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unintelligible

Nglish: Translation of unintelligible for Spanish Speakers

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